defang

verb

de·​fang (ˌ)dē-ˈfaŋ 

defanged; defanging; defangs

transitive verb

: to make harmless or less powerful

Examples of defang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That treaty’s foundation would include an economic mutual defense commitment, mimicking NATO’s Article 5, which would go a long way toward restoring Western escalation dominance over China and therefore defanging Beijing’s threats. — Theodore Bunzel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026

The Reddit post goes into more depth about the whole process of defanging the data grabbers and replacing them with services the owner might actually have control over. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 28 Oct. 2026

But something about putting that concept for a musical in the hands of children defangs it. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

It was seen as a way of defanging any potential investigation. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defang

• harangue
• orang
• bang
• chuang
• clang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange